Hello my lovelies, sorry for the long wait, but I was on vacation (yay), during which of course I did not get any writing done... however, here we are. It is mostly light and happy and fluffy, which is making me a little discontent, but trust me, it will get dark very soon. Thank you for reading!

Varys the Eunuch was standing quietly on one of the many balconies overlooking the Red Keep's training grounds. He seemed to be watching the young warriors sparring, but his thoughts were somewhere completely different. His little birds had brought him news from across the Narrow Sea, and he liked what they had to report. The young Targaryen girl was making a name for herself, and so far, it seemed the madness running in her family had spared her.

The other one though, he was not so sure about. The stories he'd heard before she came to the capital were of a strong, able girl, who loved fighting more than anything else. However, he had observed her here over the last few weeks, and there was a certain kind of madness about her. He thought her stupid not to accept his offer, but also, he had glimpsed her anger more than once. It seemed to him that she felt too trapped in this city, too much like a fish out of water.

Nodding his head in greeting at two noblewomen strolling past, he began walking in the other direction. It seemed the Red Viper had a grip on her, which was good, very good. Despite his previous attempts at forging a Martell-Targaryen alliance once again, he had not toyed with this outcome. Yes, this was a most welcome development in the grander picture. Now all he had to do was send out some little birds and wait for all the pieces to fall into place…

"You look absolutely stunning, dear sister," Margaery clapped her hands in content. Her older sister was standing a few feet away from her, dressed in a lavish, green and gold gown, looking at herself in the tall mirror.

"I look like mother," she said quietly. She had never gotten used to wearing dresses, and now, in this massive one, she felt nothing like herself.

"Nonsense, you are more beautiful than mother. Oh, this will be a glorious day! Are you excited?" Margaery asked while fussing around with her sister's dress. Samaya had to smile.

"I am a little. I have grown quite fond of him," she admitted "though not fond of the idea of a feast where everyone will stare at my every move," she concluded with furrowed brows.

"It will be over before you even know it, you'll see. Now, where is that necklace grandmother gave you?" the younger girl asked and started searching. Samaya was too enthralled by her own appearance to realise that her sister was rummaging through her belongings when she noticed that she had gone silent. Turning around, she saw Margaery still as a statue, looking down on a blue vial in her hand.

"Sam is that… poison?" she asked with fear in her voice. Samaya hurried over and snatched it out of her sister's hand.

"No, it is not poison, Margaery! It's moon tea," she explained in a quiet voice. Her sister's eyes widened.

"But… don't you want to have kchildren?" she asked immediately. Samaya straightened and took a deep breath.

"One day, yes. But not right away. I want to see how my life will be. If Dorne is too dangerous, I will not do that to a child," she said.

"Why would it be dangerous? Oh, you mean… Ellaria Sand?" her sister put the pieces together. Sam rolled her eyes and stored the vial back in its hiding spot.

"Between her, and Cersei's threat… I do not know what to expect. Only time will tell," she said calmly. Margaery was quiet for a moment before she responded.

"You are right. And whatever problems you may face, our family will always stand by your side and protect you, even from afar," she concluded and took her sister's hands. They smiled at each other just as a knock sounded on their door and their father entered to escort his oldest daughter.

"It's time, my wildflower."

If there was ever a woman he wished to marry, it would be her. Her hair was like a dark frame around her beautiful face, and her gown showed just how spectacular her body was. As she walked up to him, Oberyn smiled from one ear to the other. His future wife was a fine match. She seemed nervous, but as he took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, she seemed to relax. They shared a fond look before turning to the Septon, who started their wedding ceremony.

It passed in a blur, and before Samaya had fully grasped the significance of the event, Oberyn was kissing her deeply in front of a cheering crowd. She smiled into his kiss and felt her cheeks blush. The same thing she never thought she would ever have to do, she had just done. She had a husband. An anxious feeling deep in the pit of her stomach spoiled the moment ever so slightly, but she had vowed to shake off all doubt and just go wherever this path would lead her. With him by her side, she knew she would be safe.

The food was delicious, the decorations lavish, and the feast a full success. Samaya smiled contently as she took another sip of her wine. In front of their tables, pairs were swirling around the dance floor and laughter rang from every corner of the hall. The only ones who did not show happy faces were Cersei and Tywin Lannister, but that was to be expected. In fact, Samaya realised she had never seen Cersei show a real smile, only menacing ones. Despite all her bitterness, she felt bad for the woman. It must have been a very strict and lonely life she had led so far.

"Do you wish to experience a bedding ceremony, wife?" Oberyn suddenly leant over and whispered in her ear. Samaya felt goosebumps crawling up her arm at the mere thought of that.

"Seven hells, no, I do not!" she replied hastily, making him smile.

"That's what I thought. I have an idea. You should excuse yourself to go to the washroom, but secretly, you will go to your chambers. I shall find you there in a little while," he suggested.

"Very tempting… and not at all what a Lady would do at her wedding," Samaya replied quietly, smiling at their guests.

"Meaning?" her new husband asked. Sam grinned and stood up, gaining the attention of her family and the other important people at their table.

"If you would excuse me, nature calls even for Ladies on their wedding day," she announced with a loud voice, earning chuckles from some of them. Waving away the handmaidens following her, she exited the room and with a secret smile on her face, quietly rushed to her chambers.

Her heart was pounding so hard by the time she closed the heavy wooden door behind her, she was afraid it might jump out of her chest. The rush of excitement coursing through her blood made her feel hot and dizzy. This was the night. The night she would become a woman, once and for all. Slowly, she walked over to her bed and sat on the end of it. What was she to do? Her sister had given her many an insight over the years, but Samaya was not Margaery, and she knew that it would be different for her. She wished she had asked someone, anyone, on what she was supposed to do, but the thought had eluded her. A loud knock pulled her out of her thoughts, and she hurried to the door, expecting Oberyn. However, it was someone completely different.

"I knew you were up to something, how dare you make on old woman chase after a young girl!" her grandmother exclaimed as she pushed her way past. Samaya just looked at her with a baffled expression.

"Close your mouth, girl, flies might find their way in," came another commentary from Olenna Tyrell.

"How did you know?" Sam finally managed to say.

"I've known you since you were born, I can read your face, dear. Now, I did not come her to scold you, even though I am certainly not in agreement with you running away from your guests. I have come to give you this," her grandmother said and handed her a small, wooden box. Curiously, Sam opened the lid to find a beautiful ring inside. The steel looked like nothing she had ever seen before, and in its centre was a sparkling, deep red ruby. She picked it up carefully and admired it.

"It was your brother's. The ring itself is Valyrian steel, and the ruby from the same cut as the ones on his armour," Olenna explained quietly. Sam's brows furrowed and she carefully put the ring back in the box.

"How can someone who I have never met, and who is long dead, be my brother? Grandmamma, it is absolutely beautiful, but this does not belong to me," she answered and wanted to hand it back. The older woman did not move.

"Nonsense. He wanted you to have it," she stated calmly. Sam gave her a long, hard look.

"Have you reached that age where your wits take their leave?" she asked her.

"Nonsense, dear, my wit will be the last thing that leaves me. Rhaegar knew of your existence. He visited Highgarden when you were about a year old, and recognised the family resemblance immediately. Reluctantly, we had to tell him the truth, but he… he was not upset. He stayed a fortnight, and he played you songs on his harp every night to put you to sleep. When he left, he gave me this ring and said: Give it to her on her wedding day. And never let her forget the blood that runs through her veins," Olenna explained calmly.

There was silence for a few moments, Samaya too shocked to know what to say. She had to stumble to the nearest chair, on which she noisily plopped down.

"Why have you never told me about this?" she finally managed to say.

"There was no need for it. But now that it is your wedding day, I will keep my promise. I know we have not seen eye to eye on many things regarding your legacy, but I hope this small token will help. Oh, and that bow of yours? Also a gift from him. He was quite opinionated on how you were to be raised. Kept mumbling about the three heads of a dragon… half the time I was not certain if he was mad like his father or much wiser than we could all see," her grandmother explained. Samaya was still baffled, trying to understand what she had just heard.

"So all of my weapons and fighting training… it was because of him?" she finally asked.

"Of course, did you really think we would willingly let a Lady of a noble house roll around in the mud unless there was a good reason for it? He stressed the importance of you knowing how to defend yourself if word ever got out, and your mother and I agreed," Olenna said and took the young girl's hand.

"I wish you a happy, long and adventurous life, my dear. But never forget that it can all be over in a heartbeat. Look at what happened to Rhaegar. Wear this ring with pride and keep his memory alive. He was truly an outstanding man, and sometimes I see a glimpse of that in you. Make your husband happy, and never forget who you are. You might not have the blood, but you have the name, and we will never let any harm come to you if we can help it," she continued while sliding the ring onto Sam's fingers. There were tears in her eyes as she looked at the old woman.

"I have blamed you for such a long time, but I think I should thank you instead. You have protected me my whole life, and I carry so much love for you, grandmamma," she finally managed to say, tears now freely running down her cheeks. Olenna Tyrell smiled and stroked them away.

"Stop crying, child. I had my own selfish reasons, but now I cannot imagine a world without you in it. Now, freshen up, I am certain your new husband will be here soon. I told him to stay put, but we both know he is not the most patient of men," she said with a light tone in her voice. Looking at her granddaughter once again, she smiled and walked out of the room, leaving it in an eerie silence.

Samaya did not move for a long time, focusing on her breathing and absent-mindedly twisting the extraordinary ring that now graced her finger. She was aware that she could not wear it in public, some people might recognise it. Even though her grandmother had not said anything about that fact, she had heard how people had loved Rhaegar, so it was highly likely they would know about his jewellery just like they knew about his armour and his harp.

She was so focused on it that she did not notice Oberyn had finally joined her until he stood right in front of her. They locked eyes and she saw that he seemed concerned. His gaze reached her hand, and hard lines appeared on his face.

"Why are you wearing this ring?" he asked with a harsh tone.

"It was a gift from my grandmother," Samaya answered, suspicious about his behaviour.

"I know who that ring once belonged to. If there is any chance that you do too, I suggest you keep it away from my sight," he told her. Samaya was taken aback by his anger.

"Is it because of Elia?" she asked silently after a few moments. Only now had she realised their odd family connection. His sister was once married to her brother. Until today, she had never thought of Rhaegar as such, but now it was almost comical.

"Everything is because of Elia. I did not come to this wretched city to join the Small Council or marry a noblewoman, I came to get revenge on the man who brutally murdered my beloved sister," he said harshly. Samaya felt like he might as well had slapped her. This was the first time he'd mentioned his need for vengeance, and she was shocked by how different he suddenly was.

"You want to kill the Mountain?" she whispered, her fingers suddenly shaking.

"I will kill the Mountain. And I will destroy the man who gave the command," he said with absolute certainty.

"Who, Oberyn? Who gave the command?" she almost did not dare ask, afraid of the answer she thought he might give her. Slowly, he took her hands and raised her up from the chair. She was trembling as he framed her face with his hands. He locked her gaze with his, reading her face.

"You know the answer, but the question is, now that we are bound in the eyes of the Gods, will you help me? Will you stand by my side and support this?" he finally asked.

Samaya swallowed heavily. She knew they had many obstacles to face, but this? It was practically treason. And other than not being very pleasant, Tywin Lannister had never done anything bad by her family that she wished him dead. She was absolutely torn apart… she wanted to support her husband, but this… this meant war. It dawned on her suddenly then. This was the war he had been talking about at the Imp's wedding. He had planned this all along, and now she was allied to him.

"Do I even have a choice?" she replied quietly, sadness etched on her face. He sighed deeply and stroked down her cheek tenderly.

"I will always value your opinion, but this is more important than anything else. You can join me, but you cannot stop me," he answered, his tone determined. She did not know what to say, just held his gaze, and slowly, she could see his features soften. His fingers wandered down from her face to the bodice of her dress, where he slowly started to undo the lace holding it together.

"Now, enough of dark plans and feelings. It is our wedding night, and I intend to make good use of that," he said, pulling her closer to him. Samaya was still conflicted, and not at all in the mood for tenderness, but he did what he had done so often with her before; as soon as his mouth closed over hers, she seemed to forget everything around her, and got completely lost in this glorious feeling.

Since I do not want to change the rating of this story, I will post a one-chapter, detailed, sexy 'account' of all the lovely things that Oberyn will do to Sam... as a different story.

Thank you for reading and please leave a review if you enjoyed it! xx